In American muscle’s hunt for street supremacy in 1970, GM’s Buick Division released cars like the GS 455 seen here, but few came away from the factory like this one did. After all, normally when somebody ordered a GS Stage 1 package, they wanted to “light my fire,” as the Buick ads stated, with bright colors and aggressive-looking optioning—unless they were busy cleaning wallets out on Saturday night at the stoplight drags, in which case a more subdued approach like this was better. The car here shows 54,000 original miles and came wrapped in a combination of Code 50 Bamboo Cream paint and a saddle-tone vinyl top and interior. While Aunt Millie likely could have driven it only on Sunday, it’s probably a safe guess that it was more likely hard acceleration was the goal here. Shown in a magazine story in 1999 done by Buick aficionado Richard Lassiter entitled the “The Tale of a Survivor,” this car has had just one repaint in the factory-correct color, and it retains its original sheet metal, original drivetrain and original undercarriage. Of course, in 1970, Stage 1 meant just one thing, Buick’s stout 455 CI V-8 engine, which was then fitted with larger valves, a stiffer valvetrain, calibrated carb and ignition, heavy-duty cooling parts, chrome valve covers and the air cleaner that sealed to the functional hood scoops. This car has the special high-torque TH400 automatic transmission, as the 360 HP engine was rated at 510 lb-ft of torque. As this GS came equipped with air conditioning, a 3.42:1 Positraction gear set completes it. Featuring both power steering and power brakes, the comfort level here is all Buick inside, too, with front bucket seats, a center console with horseshoe shifter, round-faced gauging, three-spoke steering wheel, the aforementioned air conditioning and Buick-logo floor mats. Detailing outside includes the Stage 1 callouts, special hood, GS emblems, lower rocker moldings and turn-down chrome exhaust tips. An impressive amount of associated provenance includes the original Georgia title, build sheet, Protect-O-Plate, window sticker, first insurance policy, dealer order form and owner’s manual. Gorgeously appointed with a calm subtlety not often seen with so much horsepower, this GS is indeed a hidden fire-starter.